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The basics:

• Atlantic Health partners with Garner Health Technology
• Collaboration aims to reduce employer and patient healthcare costs
• Uses AI and data to identify high-quality, lower-cost providers
  
• Atlantic Health serves more than 7.5 million patients statewide

As concerns surrounding affordability rise, Atlantic Health has entered a new partnership that seeks to help lower costs for employers and patients, as well as improve transparency.

The Morristown-based healthcare system and Garner Health Technology Inc. announced the new collaboration May 19.

The pairing brings together a premier hospital system serving 7.5 million patients statewide with a fast-growing health tech company that’s earned a reputation for cutting costs.

According to Mercer, the average cost per employee for healthcare rose 6% (to more than $17,000) in 2025. This year, the figure is projected to reach 6.7% — the highest in 15 years, according to the human resources and investment consulting firm. One of the recommended tactics to combat the growth is offering more options to employees.

Garner uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to identify the “best” doctors, e.g. those following the latest research or avoiding unnecessary procedures. Beyond that, it also provides financial incentives to patients for choosing those providers.

When employees of an enrolled company find and receive care from a Garner-identified “Top Provider,” the employer helps cover out-of-pocket patient costs, such as deductibles or copays. The company reports 75% of employers lower their medical trend by more than 5% in the first year of adoption.

A shared commitment

Because of this new partnership, users can now more easily find and access top Atlantic Health physicians. Additionally, the system highlighted that it will enlist Garner’s data to inform its quality improvement work.

The provider has a workforce with 25,000 team members and more than 5,667 affiliated physicians. It also includes Atlantic Medical Group. One of the largest multispecialty practices in the state, the physician enterprise features almost 2,000 physicians and advance practice nurses.

Atlantic Health President and CEO Saad Ehtisham said the organization is committed to providing better outcomes with lower costs.

“As leaders in value based care through our accountable care organizations, exciting partnerships – like the one we are announcing today with Garner – demonstrate that we are challenging ourselves to lead the nation in bending the cost curve for patients and their families,” Ehtisham said.

Garner Health CEO Nick Reber said Atlantic Health shares his company’s commitment to better outcome for patients.

“High-quality care and lower costs should go hand in hand,” he said.

Beyond employers and providers, Garner also offers services for individuals & families and advisors.

According to the company, which uses an independent algorithm, its medical data set covers more than 60 billion medical records from 320 million patients.

Mission-driven Garner aims to “change the economics of health care so that providers thrive by practicing the best medicine.” In February, it announced a $118 million Series D raise, boosting the company to a $1.35 billion valuation.

Garner says it works with small employers to Fortune 50 companies, covering more than 700 organizations. The company highlights USA Today and Advance Auto Parts among others on its website.